Latest Louisiana Headlines

All the headlines from our Louisiana Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Louisiana Governor: Masks Required, Bars to Be Closed Statewide

Jul 14 2020 // Gov. John Bel Edwards has ratcheted up Louisiana’s restrictions to combat the coronavirus’s spread, instituting a statewide mask mandate, putting tougher limits on group gatherings and shuttering bars. The...

Louisiana’s Small Business Covid-19 Recovery Program Site Now Operational

Jul 13 2020 // The website for Louisiana’s program to help small businesses that have suffered losses as a result of the coronavirus epidemic is now operational, the state’s treasury office reported. State Treasurer John M....

Louisiana Governor Signs Law Protecting Schools from Most Virus Lawsuits

Jul 10 2020 // Louisiana’s K-12 schools and colleges will be shielded from most civil lawsuits if a student or teacher contracts the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus under a bill that Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law...

Volunteer Firefighter in Louisiana Arrested for Arson

Jul 10 2020 // A volunteer firefighter has been accused of starting a fire in south Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s Office, in a news release, said Kentrelle Beasley Jr., 18, was arrested on a charge of simple arson for setting...

Louisiana Workforce Agency to Get $3.45M to Boost Apprenticeships, Job Growth

Jul 7 2020 // The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) will receive $3.45 million from U.S. Department of Labor to support the expansion of its registered apprenticeship programs. The funding received, is part of the USDOL’s...

State Farm to Further Decrease Auto Insurance Rates in Louisiana

Jul 6 2020 // State Farm Insurance Co. has been approved for an overall auto insurance rate decrease of 9.6% in Louisiana, the state insurance department reported. State Farm’s rate reduction most recently approved by Louisiana...

Business Moves

Jul 6 2020 // East High Street Insurance Partners, Gates-Cole Associates Traverse City, Michigan-based High Street Insurance Partners has acquired Gates-Cole Associates in New Hartford, New York. Financial details of the transaction...

R Street Lauds Louisiana Lawmakers for Passing Auto Insurance Reform Bill

Jul 1 2020 // The R Street Institute, a non-profit public policy research organization based in Washington, D.C., says the Louisiana Legislature’s passage of a bill aimed at lowering high auto insurance costs represents a positive...

Treasurer: Louisiana Small Business Grant Program to Begin in July

Jun 24 2020 // Some small businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic should start seeing grants from a $300 million federally financed program as soon as next month, Louisiana’s state treasurer said. The money is part of $1.8...

Governor Signs Louisiana Bills Shielding Businesses from Virus Lawsuits

Jun 22 2020 // Louisiana businesses are receiving state protection from most lawsuits involving COVID-19 deaths or injuries, after Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law a package of measures that provides the sweeping liability...

Louisiana Lawmakers Block Bill Allowing Lawsuits Against Officers

Jun 22 2020 // A Louisiana lawmaker’s effort to eliminate police officers’ wide immunity from lawsuits and allow people injured by law enforcement to sue for damages in civil court was shelved by Republicans on a state House...

New Law Expands Access to Medical Marijuana in Louisiana

Jun 19 2020 // More Louisiana residents will have access to medical marijuana under a significant expansion of the state’s therapeutic cannabis program that was signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The changes in the law,...

Judge OKs Addition of Louisiana to Spillway Lawsuits

Jun 17 2020 // A federal judge in Mississippi has approved Louisiana’s request to be added as a defendant in two lawsuits challenging the way a major Mississippi River flood control structure is operated. The lawsuits filed in...

$300M Small Business Aid Plan Signed by Louisiana Governor

Jun 17 2020 // Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed a Republican-crafted plan to spend $300 million in federal coronavirus aid to help small businesses recover from the outbreak, agreeing to a grant program that peeled off dollars...

After Veto, Louisiana GOP Lawmakers Try Again for Auto Crash Lawsuit Limits

Jun 17 2020 // Despite a veto from the governor, the Louisiana House has plowed ahead with a top priority for business lobbying groups, trying to lessen the money that people could win against insurance companies and businesses in car...

Lighthouse Completes Merger with Florida’s Prepared Insurance Co.

Jun 17 2020 // Lighthouse Property Insurance Corp. has completed its previously announced merger plans with sister carrier, Prepared Insurance Co. Lighthouse will assume the Prepared portfolio and write directly in the state of Florida,...

Louisiana Governor Rejects Car Accident Tort Reform Bill

Jun 15 2020 // Gov. John Bel Edwards on June 12 vetoed eight bills passed by Louisiana lawmakers in their recently ended regular session, including the business lobby’s top priority, a measure to scale back damage claims against...

Insuretech Noblr Enters Louisiana Auto Insurance Market

Jun 12 2020 // Behavior-based auto insurance from Noblr is now available in Louisiana, the company said. The company provides an app-powered, personalized car insurance experience that rewards members’ good driving behaviors with...

Plane Hit, Flipped Woman’s Car Before Deadly Louisiana Crash, Lawsuit Says

Jun 11 2020 // A Louisiana woman was surprising her husband with breakfast when a plane hit her vehicle, causing it to flip several times and catch fire, according to a lawsuit filed over the December crash. Kristie Danielle Britt is...

Louisiana Gov. Signs Bill Aimed at Stemming Auto Insurance Hikes for Veterans

Jun 10 2020 // A bill designed to prevent auto insurance companies from raising rates for deployed members of the U.S. military has been signed by Louisiana’s governor. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed Senate Bill 16 by Sen. Jay...